Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 collective petition (15 people...

Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 collective petition (15 people of St Olave's, Southwark) on behalf of Rebecca Murphy, servant to Hartwell and Beaman, convicted at the 'last' February Old Bailey sessions [1803], for the theft of various amounts of muslin, calico and dimity cloth, value 7/-, property of James Hartwell and William Beaman of Messrs Hartwell and Co of Walbrook, London. Evidences supplied by James Hartwell, prosecutor; Edward Alderman, constable and William Beaman, prosecutor. There is a letter from George ------ regarding Mr King's error in assuming a pardon for Rebecca Murphy had been given when in fact it was granted to Elizabeth Armstrong; as a result he had told the prisoner and her friends that she was to be freed. Grounds for clemency: the court was told there were no other servants in the household at the time of the offence but this was not true, the prisoner has a small child and is pregnant again. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy. Folios 142-149.